History is a field of the human sciences. Through the study of humanity, across different periods of history, and different cultures around the world, history provides us with tools to understand human action, and thereby gives us insights into nature of the contemporary world, and its future. History is part of a process that builds bridges between generations, and between cultures, thereby contributing to the development of the individual, and of society.

A historian must not only be an expert in their specialist field, and its specific research methods, but must also possess extensive generalist knowledge.

At Saint-Louis, therefore, the history programme includes a range of core courses that are common to all the degree programmes taught at the Faculty of Philosophy, Literature and Human Sciences, as well as courses specialised in history, which come under two strands: ‘Knowing History’ and ‘Practising History’.

In the first year, the ‘Knowing History’ strand includes introductory courses that focus on different periods of history. In the second and third years, you follow more in-depth courses that focus on specific periods and historical themes. The ‘Practising History’ strand includes courses that introduce the materials, tools, and practices of the historian. You will learn about the different primary and secondary sources and how to review, critically analyse and exploit them. The Practising History strand requires you to take part in group as well as individual tasks and also provides the context for discussion about the nature of the work of the historian.

Please note that some of the choices of course you may make within these strands will depend on which main programme option you choose in your first year.

The history department offers two main programme options:

• Option: Literatures, Societies & Civilisations: from antiquity to the modern era.
• Option: Contemporary Societies: from the 19th century to the modern day.